Find out how recycling helps to cut school uniform costs for parents in Peterborough

Total Clothing, based at Botolph Bridge, invited parents to recycle uniform that had been outgrown for tokens to swap for more suitable garments.

More than 100 items were swapped in the first two hours of the event.

Jan Richardson, managing director, said: “I’m delighted with the response to our first swapping event. Many parents are unaware of the schemes in place with specialist uniform retailers to enable them to clothe their children in an affordable and sustainable school uniform.

“We collected much more uniform than we could give tokens out for so we have quite a lot of items left over that will be kept for customers to collect if they wish. We’re already planning our next event.”

David Burgess, chair of the Schoolwear Association, said: “It’s brilliant to highlight the outstanding work so many schoolwear suppliers and retailers are doing to help parents with the costs of uniform, not to mention the important issue that the textiles industry is having on the environment.

“The impact of fast fashion on our planet is becoming increasingly important, so it is vital that people do as much as possible to recycle and reuse clothing.

“Of course, events like this are only possible thanks to quality, well-made uniform that is durable enough to withstand the rigours of the school day and can be passed down to family or friends, or reused.”